Mentoring translational science investigators.

A PRIMARY MISSION OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF Health(NIH)istotrainthenextgenerationofclinical/ translational scientists. The NIH K-series training grantsare3to5-yearawards thatprovideprotected time (up to 75% salary support) and research funding (up to $50 000peryear)tonewinvestigatorsfollowingfellowshiptrainingtopreparethemforR01-levelfunding.ExamplesofKawards include individualawardssuchasK01s,K08s,K23s,andK25s, along with institutional-based K programs such as K12s and the CTSA KL2. ThesuccessofKprograms indevelopingsuccessivegenerations of clinical researchers is well established. However, approximatelyhalfofK-fundedscholarsdonotultimatelycompete for R-level funding or develop sustainable research programs.ManyK-fundedscholars,especiallyphysicians,willleave a research environment by the end of their K-funding period and pursue other career opportunities. Although a number of institutional-levelstrategieshavebeenimplementedtosupport andtrainKscholars,strong,activementorshipisoneofthemost powerful predictors of academic success. An effective mentoring relationship serves 2 key functions: a career function (ie, the scholar learns how to become a productiveresearcher)andapsychosocial function(ie, thescholar becomesenculturatedwithrespect for thevaluesandpractices ofhisorher research teamand institution).Arelationship that accomplishes these functions prepares the scholar for a productive, fulfilling research career and provides a model for the scholar to eventually mentor trainees. TheClinicalTranslationalScienceAward(CTSA)programs recognize this critical element of career development and research training and have stressed the importance of mentoring in every request for application since the program’s inception in 2006. As a result, the CTSA Education Key Function Committee established the national Mentor Working Group in 2008 to develop a series of white papers and recommendations on the various programmatic elements of a comprehensivementoringprogram.Thismultidisciplinarygroupincluded physicians,socialscientists,educators,basicscientists,andleadersamongtheconsortiumofCTSA-supporteduniversities.This Viewpoint summarizes the findings and recommendations of a 4-year effort by the Mentor Working Group (BOX).